With the Lakota and Sioux tribes of the Plains, there is a central myth that describes how the Lakota came in possession of the sacred pipe and the ceremony that surrounds the pipe. The legend has been passed down from generations and is recounted in this article.
The legend dates back to the days when the Lakota hunted their buffalo without the aid of horses. Food was usually scarce and some starved as a result. One summer, the Lakota nation set up camp together during a time where food sources were low. Two young men of the Itazipcho band , known as the ‘Without-Bows’ , woke up early in the morning and decided to seek game. Setting out across the plain, not even the dogs were up at that hour. As time passed, the weather turned warmer. Slowly but surely, more wildlife emerged, but nothing of any real substance.
Making their way towards a small hill to increase their view of the surrounding landscape, the young men scanned the territory. As they looked into the distance, a hazy fog of brightness grew. Approaching them, they saw two legs coming closer. The closer the figure got, the more they started to see that it was actually a lovely woman in white buckskin that shined. Upon further scrutiny, the men saw that her buckskin was covered in sacred designs made out of multi-colored porcupine quills. On her back, she carried a bundle. In her hand, she grasped a fan comprised of scented sage leaves. They also saw that she had a single strand of jet-black hair tied with buffalo fur , apart from her flowing locks. The woman’s eyes were also full of light and power. Overall, the vision of the woman was mesmerizing.
One of the men grew overzealous in her presence and wanted to take advantage of the woman who was traveling all alone on the prairie. The other man called him a fool and told him that she must be holy. Ignoring the observation of his companion, the man was determined to make his move, so when the woman motioned for him to approach her, he rushed to her side. As he started to reach out to the woman, a cloud formed around their bodies. When the cloud dissipated, all that was left was the woman standing alone. At her feet, a pile of bones laid , surrounded by snakes.
The woman told the remaining man: “I am coming to your people with a message from Tatanka Oyate, the buffalo nation. Return to Chief Standing Hollow Horn and tell him what you have seen. Tell him to prepare a teepee large enough for all his people, and to get ready for my coming.”
Running as fast as he could across the prairie, the man ran to his camp. When he finally reached the others, he was out of breath, but managed to tell Standing Hollow Horn all that he had seen and experienced. He warned that the woman was coming. The chief responded by arranging several teepees into one that was large enough to support his people. Everyone was excited for the arrival of the woman.
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Resource: http://www.livingmyths.com/Native.htm